August 27, 2013

August 27, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Miracles are happening in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada.  Sorry I couldn't email home yesterday.  Since tomorrow is transfer day for some people, the whole mission has P-day on Tuesday instead of Monday.  No worries, I'm staying in Airdrie!  Thank heavens too.  It is really starting to pick up.  Last week we were able to find 6 new investigators just from street contacting!  It's amazing.  And we were able to have several first lessons this week and we will have several second lessons later in the week. 

Last week we were supposed to meet with an new investigator (Paul) at the library.  He didn't show up.  We saw his 16-year-old friend, Donnovan, at the library and asked him where Paul was.  He didn't know.  So we started talking to him about the gospel.  He was very rude.  He was very disrespectful.  At that moment, I was so grateful for a nice younger brother like John, who would never treat someone like that!  I wanted to leave, but Sister Nuttall and I both felt like we needed to keep talking to this young man.  We were able to talk a little about the gospel.  Then we finally left and on the way out, a man said, "Hey! Are you Mormons?"  We started talking to this man (Loren) and told him about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, the whole thing.  He used to be a Jehovah's Witness but has a grudge against them now, "for what they did to my family".  We gave him a Book of Mormon and we're going to talk with him again this week!  I guess we had to endure talking to the young boy, so that we would be in the right place to talk to Loren.  

On Wednesday, we went on exchanges.  I went to Coventry (right outside of Calgary) with Sister Saegers.  She's 24 years old, 6'5", plays basketball, and neither of her parents are active members.  She's pretty cool and I learned a lot from her!  

On Thursday, we had dinner with a young family that just got sealed in the temple because he got baptized a couple of weeks after they got married.  I'm  meeting some pretty amazing converts here.  Some that sacrificed everything, literally everything, to join the church.  I'm learning what it means to be truly converted to the gospel.  It was pretty neat though.  He talked about "his missionary" and how much he loves that elder and still talks to him.  I can't wait to be "someone's missionary!" -- to have faith, when it's easy, but especially when it's hard.  I'm so glad that Meagan, was courageous enough to join the church, even if it wasn't easy.  I'm so glad she's a member of our family now!  

We visit with a lot of "less-actives" (a lot of them are "inactive") and it's sad what tiny little offenses that they have on the church.  I've been doing a lot of defending.  Sister Nuttall is very Christ-like and likes to be soft and gentle in her approach with people.  But when people wrongly accuse the church, Joseph Smith, God, etc. I'm not quite so gentle.  Maybe I should work on that.... 

On to Karen!  We have visited with her 3 times since the last time I wrote home.  She is progressing nicely.  She is reading the Book of Mormon and we are helping her understand it and we have gotten her to pray with us.  I cannot emphasize enough how hard this was for her and what a big step it was.  I know she feels the Spirit when we visit with her and it's been incredible to see the change.  We have taught her how to recognize the Holy Ghost, but she likes to deny that she "feels any different."  I know she does.  So last night, we talked about repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I invited, "Karen, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God?" She was quiet for a very long time.... "But I don't even know for sure if this is true."  I told her that we've prayed for a date and we know she can be prepared on September 21st to be baptized.  We spent about 30 minutes talking with her, helping her with her concerns, etc. It was pretty amazing.  It wasn't Crystal asking her, it was the Lord.  Sister Nuttall invited her to read and pray and have an answer on Friday when we come teach her again.  So please pray for her.  I know she will get her answer.  I just don't want her to ignore it.

A lot more has happened this week.  My 1st transfer has been amazing!  I can't wait to see what happens this next transfer!

Love you all.  I'm praying for you. Please be safe.  

-Sister Crystal Gardner

August 19, 2013

August 19, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends,

Hello from your favorite missionary girl!  

On Tuesday, we met with Karen.  We had an incredible lesson with her!  We finally got to talk to her about the Restoration!  The Spirit was so strong.  At the end we showed her the video on the first vision.  At the end of the video, it shows Joseph Smith's father entering the waters of baptism.  We've talked with her about baptism before and she's just shakes her head and let us know that she will not get baptized.  But this time, she asked us how a person could get baptized twice (like as a baby and then into our faith) and she said that her deceased husband wasn't baptized and what would happen to him?  We were able to address her concerns and she felt better about the whole thing.  We weren't even planning on asking her about baptism this time but the Spirit had something else in mind.  We followed the Spirit and asked her if she would get baptized when she comes to know that these things are true.  Silence.... To be honest I was waiting for her to say "Definitely not" like she did last time, but then she smiled a little bit.  Then she said slowly, "Maybe........ Probably if I come to find these things are true."  The Spirit was so strong.  But we still have a ways to go, we want to put her on date by the end of the month, but she still won't go to church or pray, but she's reading from the Book of Mormon.  Pray for her! 

When we visited with Ariah she had thrown away ALL of her clothes that weren't temple worthy.  She laughed and said her closet was empty!  She has struggles but her desire to do what is right is stronger. I love her so much.  I can't wait to go to the temple with her in October!  

Speaking of the temple, on Saturday, we got to go!  I love the temple.  I missed not sitting by my beautiful mother or being in the celestial room with my family.  So, I thought of my family a lot in that temple, both my family now and my future family.  I can't imagine trying to raise a family without the gospel.  Luckily, I won't have to.  

We visited with a lot of lonely people this week.  We uplifted a man that thinks only of his wife with Alzheimer and really just needed to talk to someone, we helped a woman water the flowers that she put on her husbands grave, and we talked with a lady who just lost her baby twins.  Sometimes the only things that can help people is the knowledge that Jesus Christ has walked where they have been and can feel their pain.  It is very sad to see that exactly when people need the gospel the most, they shove the Savior out of their life.  It's nice to give them a little bit of light once again!

On Friday, we were at the library doing some online training on stress control... no worries... I'm in the "green zone":) and a man, named Wesley, came into the computer lab.  He saw that we were missionaries and started teasing us (nicely) asking how "the work of saving souls" was going or if he could join the church if he was German and poor, etc.  He told us he's trying to quit smoking and I told him that we have an "addiction recovery" program that could help him!  Anyway, he got on the computer and asked us what he should look up, I told him to type in "mormon.org".  He was on there for thirty minutes and stated being more serious and asking us real questions.  When he went to leave, before I had a chance to say anything he had already written down his contact information and asked us to tell him some more.  I can't wait to teach him!  It just goes to show, that you never know who is ready to hear the gospel.

A while back, we found a man named Justin, he said we could bring by some "literature".  When we went to do so, his wife answered the door and said he wasn't at home and she wasn't interested... when we walked by, we saw him in his back yard.  So yesterday, I decided that we needed to go talk to him again and had the feeling like we should write our testimony in the Book of Mormon and give it to him, however, Sister Nuttall didn't agree.  She didn't feel like we shouldn't visit with him, but she didn't feel like we should either.  I guess my sassiness won, because I felt like we should.  I knocked on the door and Justin answered, he said he didn't have much time to visit because he had to catch a plan, so I introduced the Book of Mormon, told him a little background information, and bore my testimony on it and he said he'd read some of it and that we could come back to see what he thought in a couple of weeks.  Sister Nuttall was silent during the whole thing.  I'm confused how we could get opposite promptings, but I hope I did what was right and I hope that he will read it.  

This week was stake conference and my favorite talk was by the temple president.  It was to "Hear Him". Every time, the Lord introduces the Savior, he says "Hear Him!"  We "hear him" multiple times a day, we just have to pay attention!

I love you family.  I hope you are praying for missionary experiences because they will come! 

Loves,

Sister Crystal Gardner

August 12, 2013

Dearest Family and Friends, 

On Thursday, we had a lesson with Ariah and her friend Jen was there.... I think they both needed the message that we shared on the Savior.  Jen hasn't been active for a while and she's making many poor decisions.  She felt the Spirit so strong that she started crying and said that she felt like she needed to start reading the scriptures again with her children.  I hope she does.  Later, Ariah confided that she has set the goal for herself to go through the temple in OCTOBER.  We were not expecting that... apparently her cousin is going on a mission and so they want to go to the temple together!  If she reaches her goal, I will get to go through with her!  (I will most likely be in this area for 4 transfers.)  

On Friday, we had a "Re-trainer's Meeting" in Calgary.  I got to see all of my MTC friends!  I missed them but it was so nice to see how much they've grown and no longer look like the scared "greenies"! The meeting was nice and my favorite part was learning about our purpose: which is to invite!  I think I took that message to heart....  Later that day, I decided that we were going to INVITE Karen to an 8 year-old's baptism and to church.  She declined both, but at least she knew we were thinking about her and it never hurts to invite!  

On Saturday, we went to the baptism and we didn't know why.  We didn't have an investigator and even though we thought that the non-member side of the family would be there, they didn’t come.  I started to think that maybe we should have done something else instead, but later two 16 year old girls came up to us and said "We really need to talk to you."  They had just gotten back from EFY and were very full of the Spirit (probably just like John was) and they wanted to know about missions, how to decide if they should go, why they should go, etc. etc. I think we did a very good job of addressing their concerns and I told them all the reasons why I love being a missionary, despite the hard times.  I think that is why we needed to be there.  Those girls really needed to talk to us!  

I felt like we really needed to visit Sister Feenstra (the less-active that we help with her yard) later that day.  She is having a hard time because it's been a year since her husband died.  We talked about the plan of salvation and she really felt the Spirit.  I wish she'd come to church.  Apparently there are several people in the ward that are "mean" to her, so she refuses to come.  They probably don't even realize that she feels that way, but she's convinced.  It's sad that she would give up all these blessings, because someone might give her a mean look.  

When we were walking to visit with a less-active, we met a young man (probably about 20) named Marcel, that we talked to.  I don't know if he was really interested, but he invited us to come back!  Later, I decided that we should INVITE him to church.  It was via text, but we were able to talk about what he would feel and experience if he came to church.  He said he would come!  Then we talked to another lady, Marilyn.  She was out gardening and after getting to know her, we mentioned the church.  She said, "Ahhhh yes.  My mom just joined that church."  We INVITED her to come to church and see what her mom does at church!  She asked what we did and we told her.  Then we asked if we could come back and talk to her more. "Uhhh, I'm sure you could."  So hopefully next time we stop by we will be able to talk to her more about her Mom's church and get her interested!  

Sunday we were very excited!  We got to do a presentation in ward council on "Hastening the Work" and getting the members involved.  It went really well!  I really felt the Spirit talking through me at one point and people were crying.  I hope that they took what we said and the challenges we gave them to heart.  We can't do this work alone!  

We were very excited for church because Gordon, Ariah, Marcel, Angela, and Dan all agreed to come to church.  My heart sank because as we sang the opening hymn, not a single one was there.  But slowly, Angela and Dan came. And Ariah. And Gordon!  It was wonderful.  Ariah really enjoyed being back at church and she participated in the lesson!  Both she and Gordon met with the bishop about going through the temple and getting the priesthood! So, everyone except Marcel came (whom we called later and he said he was sleeping... until 11:00?).  He invited us to come teach him this week though, so we won't give up on him.  But we will be having his lesson in a member's home.

Later we visited with Bro. Lah, and his daughter, Sister Phillips, and her husband.  They always uplift me for the next week.  All three are converts and they have the strongest testimonies of anyone I've met.  I guess it just gives me hope that maybe I could bring a convert like that into this church.

I know this church is true!  Pray for missionary opportunities.  The missionaries can't do it alone!

Love,

Sister Gardner

August 7, 2013

Dearest family and friends, 

Sorry I didn't get to write on Monday, it was a holiday so the library was closed.  

What a great week! Last Monday (July 29) we met with Gordon.  He is a recent convert and he is amazing.  He is 69 years old and reminds me of Uncle Ray... pretty much a big jokester.  He was formally a preacher of the "7th Day Adventice Church"  for about 40 years.  He started coming to the lds sacrament meeting about 2 years ago so that he could "prove us wrong" and "preach against the mormons" in his own sermons.  Well after a while, he couldn't find anything wrong with our church (obviously) so he decided he had to join it.  Isn't that an amazing story?  This Monday (August 5) we were teaching him a lesson and his wife joined us.  She isn't a member, but when we shared a Mormon message, she was touched.  I wonder how long it will be before she joins her husband in this gospel.  

On Tuesday, we got to meet with Karen again.  She is slowly starting to soften.  She looks a little happier every time we stop by or call.  It was really funny though, we asked her what she expects to feel when we come over.  And she said, "I don't know why I let you two come back. I'm not going to pray and I'm NOT going to become a Mormon".  Silly Karen, I suppose everyone says that before they join the church.  The last 2 times, she really needed to talk about the atonement and pray, so tonight we will finally get to talk to her about the Restoration!  

Ariah, the less active girl that wants to go to the temple, called because some one had broken into her house and stolen her wallet, birth certificate, and drivers license.  A lady that was walking by later that day was prompted to keep walking (away from where she was trying to go) and found all of her stuff in the grass!  Ariah needed a spiritual experience like that! We had to go over to jump-start her car though and then we had a lesson with her!  She didn't go to church on Sunday... but we will get her there this week.  

Later, we met with Eve and Les Childs.  They are hilarious, VERY British people.  They are a member's parents, but want NOTHING to do with the church.  When their daughter joined the church, they didn't talk to her for 2 months even though she was still living at home at the time.  They have taken quite the liking to us though and allow us to stop by and share a thought, while they drink their beer.  They always offer us some, but then give us water and "crumpets" on fine china.  I think I'll take a trip to Britain one day!  

Funny story.  I can't remember if I already said this, but starting in the MTC and ever since, I have dreams that I'm teaching lessons.  Just a normal lessons, to normal people.  Well, I sleep talk a lot and the other night I was bearing my testimony and kept repeating, "I love this gospel, and I know that it's true!"  and then a couple of nights ago, I was teaching the restoration loud and clear in my sleep.  I guess I need all the practice that I can!  Sister Nuttall says before we go to sleep, "I wonder what I'm going to learn about tonight!"  

We got to go to BANFF!  It was BEAUTIFUL.  Because it was the holiday weekend, unfortunately it was very crowded, but that just meant we had lots of opportunities to talk to people about the gospel!  We hiked to a waterfall! It was nice to go hiking and it reminded me of being with you in Alaska!  

On Saturday, it was my one month birthday as a missionary!  I miss you all but I'm glad that I'm here.  We are finding lots and lots of work to do, which I hope will turn into lots and lots of new investigators here soon!  

To answer Mom's questions:  There are 4 wards in Airdrie and each ward now has it's own set of missionaries, my ward also has the town of Crossfield in it, which is about 15 minutes away from us.  So our ward, has part of Airdrie and all of Crossfield.  There are 6 missionaries in my district (including the Mandarin elders that serve in Calgary).  Haha I exercise every morning, just like I'm supposed to, and now that I have a bike, we've been doing lots of biking as well... and I think I'm still pretty healthy.  Sister Low, has a nice garden and she's out of town so she tells me to pick her lettuce everyday and I have salad for lunch, along with her fresh raspberries, and peas. 

We had a zone conference yesterday.  I love President and Sister Nicholas very much!  During the conference, we were told how to drive in the snow.  Gulp.  It's coming too fast!  

I love you all.  Thanks for all the emails!  It really does make me feel loved as well.  It's good to know, you haven't forgotten about me yet!    

Loves,

Sister Gardner

July 29th, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

To answer your questions on everyday missionary life... We live in a member's house, the Low's.  We are related to them somehow, he said something like third cousins, twice removed.  They are the nicest family ever!  Sister Low reminds me of you, mom.  She loves to cook, sew, garden (I have particularly enjoyed their strawberries, they are 100 times better than the ones in the store), and make EVERYTHING homemade.  I told her that you two should meet up and become friends, which is convenient because they have a house in Phoenix!  We live in the downstairs.  We have dinner appointments almost every night, especially since I spiced up the sign up sheet so now it looks cute and bright and it just makes people WANT to sign up. ;) 

We have a car, but we also do a lot of walking.  We have 2 1/2 full walking days but also just walk if the appointment is close, we want to save kilometers on the car, or we want to tract on the way to an appointment!  We are also getting bikes today from a member family.  Thankfully my companion is up to getting up and going bike riding in the morning, they have some really pretty biking paths really close to our house.  I'm not yet authorized to drive, but I should get the call any day now.  The weather is bi-polar.  The saying around here is "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes" and it'll change.  It's really true.  Yesterday is was about 20 degrees Celsius, so very nice weather, and then it got stormy... and we had walked about 45 minutes to a dinner appointment.  I send a picture... I was freezing.  Everyone here thinks it's funny how cold I get already.  I'm nervous about January!  (Everyone also makes fun of my Arizona accent, I didn't even know I had one...)  

I LOVED flood cleanup.  I know I will remember that experience for ever.  

On Saturday, we attended our District leader's last baptism before he leaves in a couple of weeks.  He's a Mandarin speaking elder, so the baptism was in Chinese.  Let me tell you, the church is still true in Chinese.  It was amazing.  We were the minority, so we got to wear the translator headsets!

We teach a lot of in-actives and by doing so, I have been keeping up on my lawn-mower skills!  We help an elderly, in-active lady with her lawn and garden on Saturday mornings, it's actually a lot of fun!  One less-active girl that we are teaching is named, Ariah.  She's divorced and has a four year old.  She wants to go through the temple at the beginning of the year, so we've been working with her.  She has really cool spiritual experiences and knows that the gospel is true... Satan just really knows her weak spots, but as she's been reading her scriptures she's becoming stronger.  One of my favorite people to talk with is, Bro. Lah.  We visit him every Sunday night.  He is a convert from Slovania and he is so strong and uplifts us every time.  

It's been really neat meeting people from all over the world!  I've taught people from Germany, Scotland, Slovania, England, Ireland etc.  

We had a successful week tracting as well!  I guess when you rely on the Spirit to tell you where to go and who to talk to you're bound to have success.  I found 2 men (probably in their early 30s) that look promising and we are going back to teach them and their families later this week!  Can't wait :) 

One more thing, Karen, our investigator canceled on us on Friday because she got a migraine... doesn't she know the only medicine she needs is the gospel?!  But we are teaching her tomorrow and we both separately felt prompted to invite her to prepare to be baptized on August 23rd.  I don't know if she'll say yes, but I'm going to ask her anyway.  She is so lonely and needs the gospel.  I can't imagine going through trials like someone these people go through without the knowledge of the gospel.  

Continue with the prayer. I can feel them bless and protect me.

I love you.

-Sister Gardner